Well, I liked the first book in this series. I enjoyed this one more. Still a lot of room to run here, but the storyline was solid and the characters are interesting to learn

Nora finds herself in an impossible situation. So she calls on her friend Benny. Benny is an exFBI and is deemed to prove to at Nora did not kill Helen. As Benny digs deeper Nora discovers the secrets that Helen has been hiding. The secrets that got her killed.

This book grabbed me from the beginning. Finance, espionage, and murder, what more could a person ask for?

The second book in the series has Nora Carleton working at Saugatuck Associates in Westport, Connecticut, where honesty is paramount within the company. The only problem is that everyone is lying, backstabbing, and stealing. It is the reader's job to figure out the worst of the worst.

Of course, one of the players is found dead, and it looks like Nora is being set up. In comes Benny -- the best part of this series. His humor and perspective make this an enjoyable read.

When it comes to the killer, you must remember what Agatha Christie taught us -- to look hardest at the most unlikely suspect. That is who will be on your radar from the beginning, but getting to the end is a lot of who-else-could-it-be fun.

Comey weaves a lot into his books and I enjoy the ride every time.

Very Well Done! Good mystery. Had me engaged and interested the entire way through. The characters were engaging and fun. The mystery was intriguing and kept me guessing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy.

This book fascinated me, especially knowing James Comey was the author.

I found this to be a fun read, though it felt a bit too descriptive at points. It felt like the author wanted the book to be more action-heavy, but felt the need to explain things the reader may not know. I think with this type of book there is a fine line between what you can and cannot assume a reader knows, and when the author is so knowledgeable about the subjects covered, as well as the ways popular media have impacted law enforcement procedures and prosecutions, it was an easy trap to fall into over-explanation or to explain how something works more clearly than another author might.

Nora was decently written, and I enjoyed her as a character. Benny felt like he was at least partially there to say every thought that was too politically incorrect for other characters. Carmen was great, I could have used more time with her in the story. The detective, whose name escapes me right now, was also well-written. Overall, a lot of female characters are written decently by a male author. I think they fell into some stereotypes of "strong female characters," but overall were believable characterizations which is rare in this genre.

This felt more suspense/thriller/adventure/legal drama ala John Grisham to me, so know this isn't a standard "mystery" in that sense. Has a good mystery plot though.

4.5 stars. Westport was a great mix between a detective mystery and a legal thriller. I have not read the first book in this series, but it’s on my list after finishing this. Westport could be read as a standalone, as I was not confused about back stories at any point. It also left off nicely, where there could be a potential third book in the series. Would read.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an excellent follow-up to the 1st book in the series! I love all the characters and their relationships and it's adorable that Nora and Benny are forming a relationship! I am pretty sure that Saugatuck Associates is an actual cult! All this honesty BS when everyone is lying and hiding shit! I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment!

#Westport
#NetGalley

This is an interesting novel by former FBI director James Comey. Typically, when a retired political figure writes a novel, it's mediocre at best. But Comey has a talent for this genre. The law enforcement/legal jargon is plentiful, but he cleverly defines each term within the context of the storyline, so it doesn't seem so "procedural."

The story is centered around a hedge fund with a unique perspective that emphasizes truth and logic among its staff. The main character, Nora, is the fund's lead counsel, who is accused of killing her friend and colleague. All the evidence points to her, but it's clearly a setup. Two of her friends from her past job come to her aid as they investigate possible murder suspects. The cast of characters is a unique group of individuals with typical quirks and foibles. I particularly enjoyed the Benny character, whose interactions with Nora and others add a touch of humor to the mystery storyline. The plot held my attention throughout, and the narration was very well done. I'd recommend this one as a good summer read/listen.

Thank you to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for providing an advance review copy of this audiobook. My opinions are my own.

I surprisingly really enjoyed this. As someone who actually worked where this book was loosely based on, I can say those outrageous stories you think are just too crazy to be real (the pee on the bathroom floor, the ipad grading, the founders whole persona) i can tell you they are not. I didn’t read the first book but I thought the female character was written really well by a man, and that the plot moved fast and kept me entertained.

I was excited about this book because I live in the area where it takes place. Loved the Westport setting and references to real places. I also enjoyed the hedge fund aspect.

I seldom read books by male authors because, imo, they don’t get female characters right. This was no exception. I found Comey’s portal of the female characters emotionless and flat. Speaking of characters, Benny was a bit ridiculous. A total cliche. All that said, I found the dynamic between the characters both interesting and entertaining.

I didn’t realize Westport is the second book in a series. Needless to say, you can read it as a standalone.

3.9 rounded up to 4.

A great story that keeps you listening or reading about a Lawyer who is being accused of murdering her colleague, there is lots of evidence too perfectly placed and so she gets her friend Benny to help and find the real murderer. If you can get the Audio version I would recommend it because the narrator did such a great job with the accents and getting you into the story even more.

Rating: 4 ⭐️
Pub Date: May 21, 2024
How I Read It: 🎧

Synopsis
Former federal prosecutor Nora Carleton has left her job at the US Attorney's Office to become lead counsel at Saugatuck Associates, the world's largest hedge fund in Westport, CT. Nora was recruited by Helen because of her skills as an investigator. Helen Carmichael and Nora are working together to find the person inside their organization who is using company secrets to make early trades, but things start getting risky when Helen turns up dead and Nora is the prime suspect. She calls in an old colleague, Benny, to help her get out of the mess she’s in as the prime suspect, and together they set out to find a killer.

My Thoughts
I’m not going to lie. I picked up this book because it was called Westport. I used to live near Westport, and the detail to the area and surrounding towns, plus the local knowledge was spot on and made this book really enjoyable for me! I didn’t realize this was the second book in a series when I requested it, but you could easily read this book as a stand alone book, as Comey does a good job with the back story. I absolutely LOVED the character Benny. He was by far my favorite character! He had me cracking up! I honestly was not expecting to laugh reading this book, but I did!

Final Thoughts
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator, Cassandra Campbell, was great, and I highly recommend the audio version. The hedge fund / investing stuff could get a bit confusing at times, but it didn’t affect the enjoyability of the story. After reading this book, I really want to go back and read the first book in the series, Central Park West.

❗️Of Note
📝 Murder / Death

Themes:
🔍 Mystery / Thriller

Ratings
Characters: 5 ⭐️
Pace: 4 ⭐️
Enjoyability: 4 ⭐️
Narrator: 5 ⭐️

Thank you to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!

Nora Carleton has left the US Attorney’s Office and is now working at a hedge fund in Westport, Connecticut. When Helen, her friend and colleague, is found murdered all of the clues point to Nora. The hedge fund puts an emphasis on honesty, but not surprisingly its employees are hiding some pretty scummy secrets. And it turns out that Helen had some secrets of her own.

As with the first book in this series, the author proves to be really good at legal fiction, and is adept at dialogue. Because of the new setting, there is less emphasis on the inner workings of the FBI and US Attorney’s Office, and I missed that insider knowledge. However, I did enjoy the plot and its twists. Even though I figured out the bad guy early on, their reveal still had surprises. I also liked the characters including Nora, her mother and some colleagues from her former career. I’m looking forward to the continuation of the series (or really anything else the author wants to write). 4.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

To be completely honest this book wasn’t personally my style… This isn’t saying the book was bad, it was just a little more sophisticated, and hard to follow for me.

After the body of a prominent employee is found in the canoe of Nora, another employee, all members of Saugatuck Associates are put on alert and eventually under scrutiny!

With a lot of legal and investigative jargon, and adult language this book was a little hard for me to get into. The audiobook book narrator did a fantastic job, and the ending was unexpected, but overall for me this book was about 3.5 stars ⭐️.

Huge thank you to #netgalley and @mysteriouspress for the advanced audiobook copy

Great book enjoyed great character development crime drama and thriller all rolled into one. Looking forward to reading more of his books.

The second in the series but definitely readable as a standalone, this features Nora who is accused of a crime and pools her friends with a very distinct skill set to aid in her fight for freedom. It’s a mystery set in and around a high finance arena in which money, and lives, are at stake. It is well written and plotted, but it’s a four star for me because it felt like the author was attempting to be too politically correct - it was overt and that annoyed me. Thanks to NetGalley for the read. I did enjoy the narration on this one.

Westport is a fun, quick read about a murder at an investment firm When the new general council, brought in to help lead an internal investigation about trading issues, suddenly learns her boss was found dead in her canoe, with several strange clues pointing to her involvement. She's lucky to have an old friend able to come in and help the firm's security lead investigate the firm - whose culture has both a very commonplace nepo baby C-suite and also an extreme commitment to recording and honesty that puts in somewhere on the Spectrum.
Comey's past may be signaled through the pressure the corrupt sheriff puts on the detective to close the case quickly, or maybe it's the amount of people thinking they're above the standards of transparency and honesty. Either way, despite some timeline gymnastics in the big reveal, the characters are pretty engaging with their snappy dialog and various embarrassing secrets.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.

In the world of crime fiction, a new voice resonates through the affluent streets of Connecticut’s coastal charm in James Comey’s “Westport.” Narrated with compelling depth by Cassandra Campbell, this audiobook invites listeners into the very heart of its unfolding drama.

Nora Carleton, our protagonist, steps into a life that promises a fresh start away from the gritty city’s clutches. As the general counsel for Saugatuck Associates, a hedge fund teetering on the edge of legality, Nora’s world is one of wealth, wit, and the whispers of conspiracy. Comey’s narrative, rich with the intricacies of financial maneuverings and the shadows they cast, is brought to life by Campbell’s nuanced performance. Her voice captures the tension of a woman caught in a web of deceit, her life’s threads pulled tight by the murder of a colleague.

The audiobook’s pacing is masterful, with Campbell’s rhythm echoing the heartbeat of the story—quickening in moments of danger, steady during the unraveling of a complex plot. The characters are given distinct voices, their personalities etched into the listener’s mind, making the town of Westport a character in itself—picturesque on the surface, but with undercurrents dark and deep.

Comey’s background lends authenticity to the narrative, his knowledge of the FBI’s inner workings coloring the investigation with realism. Yet, it is Campbell’s voice that carries the weight of this authenticity, her inflection imbuing each revelation with gravity.

While the plot may offer few surprises for the seasoned detective fiction aficionado, the journey is gripping. The stakes are personal, and the danger is captivating, especially when the life of Nora’s daughter hangs in the balance.

The audiobook format adds a layer of intimacy to this tale, the tension and emotion more palpable when heard than read.

“Westport” is a story of loyalty and betrayal, of the facades we build and the truths we bury. Comey pens a narrative that is both a puzzle and a portrait of a woman fighting to clear her name. Campbell’s narration is the brush that colors this portrait, making “Westport” a recommended listen for those who seek a crime story with a heart as strong as its heroine’s resolve.

This is my second novel by James Comey. I really enjoyed this pageturner. I even purchased copies for my husband as well as a friend. Comey has a gift for painting multidimensional characters. Westport is an intriguing story that is fast-paced, with a few twists thrown in for good measure. Adding to my pleasurable listening experience, the narrator is one of my all-time favorites. I highly recommend listening to the book as opposed to reading it. The character of Benny and his late-in-life romance added color and humor to the story. I can't wait for James Comey's next novel!

Westport (Nora Carleton #2) by James Comey
Narrated by Cassandra Campbell
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Mystery & Thrillers
Published: May 21, 2024

Westport is the second book in the Nora Carleton series by James Comey. I think I enjoyed this one more than the first book, Central Park West, which is saying a lot, because I really enjoyed that one too! Westport can be read as a standalone mystery or enjoyed as part of the series.

This story was fascinating!!! This fast read was one that I did not want to stop reading! I had to know what was going to happen next! I was hooked right from the start!

The characters are interesting, and the story was so good. I loved trying to solve this mystery and seeing it all come together in the end. WoW!!!

The narration by Cassandra Campbell was amazing! I loved how she brought this book to life!

I highly recommend reading this book and can’t wait to see what comes next!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.